Reggie Bush will return to practice this week in hopes of playing Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Saints' tailback is still considered questionable for Sunday's game. And the team will no doubt try and keep the Eagles and the media guessing about Bush's health status throughout the week.

But Saints Coach Sean Payton said Monday he is "optimistic" about Bush's possible return.

"He's a little bit ahead of schedule. That's been encouraging," Payton said of Bush, who missed the previous two games with a torn posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. "I think he's feeling a lot stronger on it. He's obviously moving around a lot better on it.

"We'll see where he's at Wednesday, but I know he's planning on practicing, and that will be a plus."

Players had the day off Monday, so Bush was unavailable for comment. But he said last week he is eager to try and return to the field before the season is over, contradicting reports he would shut it down until next season rather than risk further injury.

If Bush is able to play Sunday, Payton said the team would be "judicious" about the number of snaps he would get.

Presumably, tailback Aaron Stecker will continue to play a significant role in the Saints' offense after carrying the ball 42 times for 195 yards during the past two weeks, both victories. But Bush would be an asset, either as a change-of-pace option, a receiver out of the backfield, or simply as a distraction to the Eagles' defense.

The Saints' offense was at its best last year when Bush and Deuce McAllister were on the field together, keeping defenses off balance with their contrasting styles.

In the Saints' playoff victory against Philadelphia in January, McAllister ran 21 times for 143 yards and a touchdown, and caught four passes for 20 yards and another touchdown. Bush ran 12 times for 52 yards and a touchdown and caught three passes for 22 yards.

YOUNG HOSPITALIZED WITH PNEUMONIA: Saints defensive tackle Brian Young probably won't play against the Eagles on Sunday after contracting a rare form of pneumonia last week.

Young, 30, is in the hospital after having fluid drained from between his chest cavity and his lungs during the weekend, Payton said. Doctors were able to diagnose the condition, and Young is getting better, but the ailment set him back, according to Payton.

He did not have a projected timetable for Young's recovery.

"It's been frustrating for him because he's laid up in a hospital bed, and it was more serious than any of us thought," Payton said of a condition that worsened last week after Young played in the Saints' Monday night victory at Atlanta. "Fortunately, he's recovering well. But it's something that's going to take a while. It's something that was pretty significant."

Young was replaced in the starting lineup by veteran Renaldo Wynn in Sunday's 31-24 victory against Arizona. The Saints have good depth at defensive tackle, where backups Wynn, Antwan Lake and Kendrick Clancy have each started games this season.

OTHER INJURIES: Defensive end Will Smith should be fine after leaving Sunday's game with cramps and dehydration. The Saints did not report any further injuries coming out of Sunday's game.

PRO BOWL ANNOUNCEMENT: The NFL will release its 2008 Pro Bowl rosters today at 3 p.m. on the NFL Network. Quarterback Drew Brees, receiver Marques Colston and defensive end Will Smith are among the hopefuls.

. . . . . . .

Mike Triplett can be reached at mtriplett@timespicayune.com or (504) 826-3405.